We do believe in fairies! We do! We do! My family of 5 take on the World~Day2 posted

[Bama mom to 3]

Hello and welcome to my very first trip report. We just returned from our first trip in 8 years and we had a blast. It was my youngest DS's first trip to Disney World. We had originally planned to be there on his 5th birthday but he decided he did not like mascot type characters and was very firm when he stated he would not go, he would rather stay home with Meemaw (MIL). So we postponed the trip because I really wanted to go as a family and finally 2 years later we were on our way to Disney.

I must include a disclaimer here and let you all know up front that I am not a writer by any means, but I really hope not to bore you all too much so you will stick around to read about my family taking on the World.

First things first...introductions:

I'll start with myself:

I love Eeyore and Sleeping Beauty (Aurora). I planned every aspect of this trip with very little input from DH (he is not a Disney lover).
I love Disney World, although this was just my 4th trip ever. I never got to go as a child and swore I would take my children anytime I could. My first trip was in 1992 with DH (then boyfriend), his mom and sister. We stayed offsite and didn't really experience Disney the way it should be. The second time was mine and DH's honeymoon. Again we stayed offsite and only went to each park one day each. Then in 2000 we went for the Millennium celebration and at the time oldest DS was 4 and DD was almost 3. We stayed in All-Star Music because it was the only value resort that had availability when I booked. This trip we stayed at POR because it accommodated a family of five and none of the all star suites were available. I LOVE this resort and would stay again in a heart beat.

Next up is DH (Lin)

His real name is Lindsey (after his paternal grandfather). As I stated above, he is not a Disney Lover and really couldn't care if her ever got to go again. His only trips were the ones I stated above. He has only been the same I have been.

Oldest Ds Zach:

Not the typical 13 year old boy, however he still loves to pick at his brother and sister to see how much he can annoy them. He does have the typical teenage attitude sometimes, but over all he is a great kid. He is the lover of all things comical and loves to make people laugh. And don't tell him I told you, but I think he loved the attention he got from Tink

Our only Daughter Rebecca:

You will probably see her referred to as Becca, Bec-Bec or Bec in this trip report. She will answer to any of those. She LOVES Tinkerbell and is my partner in crime when it comes to being a thrill ride junkie. I was so excited when she finally reached the height requirement for thrill rides because I knew I would never have to ride alone again. She just turned 11 and is what I refer to as Tom-Girl. She has always been a tomboy but at the same time loves being girly-girl too. So she is my own tom-girl.

Youngest DS Blake:

A momma's boy through and through. He is in 2nd grade this year and hates leaving me home alone while him and his brother and sister go to school. He used to hate mascot type characters, but was most excited to meet them all this trip. This was his first trip ever to Disney and although he hates thrill rides, he loved it.

Now, before I get into the trip report I wanted to share a few thoughts about the time of year we went. Our trip was Nov 1st- 8th and it was the perfect time for us. My kids' fall trip fell this week and that's why we chose this week to go. The weather was AWESOME! We only wore our ponchos about 5 minutes the whole week. Wait times for rides were a mere 10 minute wait with the exception of a few big ticket rides. I didn't realize I took so many photos, but I took 1990 photos...YIKES! I obviously won't post them all but will include lots of them.

When we first arrived we were able to see the Halloween decorations at Magic Kingdom:

And by they time we left we saw the Christmas decorations:

I am currently trying to talk DH into letting me plan a trip for Me and DD in a couple years. I think we would have a blast just the two of us.

And one more photo:

This is DH, DD and DS on Mount Everest. We rode it walk on (me and the older two kids) then DH and the older two kids walked right on afterwards. I was able to get them coming down the drop. Now as a side note, DH hates roller coasters but he surprised me this trip by riding them all except Rockin Roller Coaster

1. Departure and travel day
2. Day One, Part One
3. Day One, Part Two
4. Day One, Part Three

 

[john398]

I am subscribing here too as I count down my trip, 12 days til Disney

 

[DEBBYIAC]

I'm such a trip report junkie I'm so happy you had a great time I can't wait for more. i just think its great that you at least go to see both halloween and christmas decs. so i'm just going to keep reading yours so my trip comes faster 11 days to go.

 

[JoBird]

I'm Here! I'm here! I'm here!!!

Yay! I love that we're all doing TR's!!!!!



Jo

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Now on with the trip report:

My original plan was to sleep as soon as DH got home from work and we loaded the van. So I fully expected to be in bed by 5:00 pm Friday, October 31st. I was going to sleep until about 11:00 then get up get a shower and hit the road by midnight while DH and the kids slept. I stayed up extra late Thursday night and got up extra early Friday morning so I would be good and sleepy because if I didn’t sleep DH would never let me stick to my plan. Originally he wasn’t going to take the kids trunk or treating at church so I never got them costumes. But he decided he was going to take them and Thursday I ended up buying $40.00 worth of candy for them to hand out. Youngest DS ended up just wearing his football uniform and DD just didn’t dress up. I went to bed as they left and actually fell asleep pretty quickly considering we were going to Disney. I slept until I heard one of the kids get in the shower and then for the next hour I tossed and turned. Then I fell back asleep and slept until about 10:00 pm. I finally got out of bed at 10:30 and the kids and DH was playing Disney Monopoly. I hopped in the shower and was ready to go before too long. We put the last star on the countdown chart:

And before long, we were on our way. But DH forgot to fill up the van so we ended up stopping 30 minutes later right before we got on the interstate and filled up.
And here are the kids while we were filling up:

I drove for the first 4 ½ to 5 hours and then my contacts started getting all messed up so DH took over once we got on the south side of Atlanta. I love this picture of us driving down the road. It was still dark outside and looks really cool:

After a couple more hours the kids started stirring and we decided to stop for breakfast. We stopped at Shoney because we normally love their breakfast but this one was nasty and gross! And the service was horrible even though it wasn’t busy at all.

Before long we were on the road again and before you know it we were driving under my favorite sign:

And hearing “Welcome Home”
(Ignore the window glare. The window on the van won’t go down)

Here we are at arrival:

There was a small line at check-in:

But before long we were checking in. Our room wasn’t ready but we were told we would be in building 38. I was going to request a certain building prior to arrival but decided not to. I know a lot of people do not like building 38, but we loved it because it was so quiet.

We decided to keep our plan of heading to Downtown Disney while we waited on our room to get ready. Here are a couple photos on the way to the ferry:

And as we approached downtown Disney the sky looked a bit scary:

We thought we would check to see how busy T-Rex was and see if we could possibly get an early supper here. We were told it was a half hour wait so we decided to wait since we were all a bit hungry.

But then after just a couple minutes we were pulled out of the line and taken to a table. We bypassed everyone else in front of us. Not sure how that happened but we were excited, especially Blake who loves Dinosaurs.

Here are a few photos:

And here is oldest DS being typical comedian Zach:

I don’t remember what everyone had. I do know me and oldest DS just had a burger and fries. The food was okay, but not great. But the kids loved the ambiance there especially when the meteor shower would hit.

After supper we walked around a bit and looked and of course took the obligatory photos:

After a stop at Goofy’s Candy Store to use a few snack credits, we headed back to the resort. I had called and found out while DH had youngest DS in the bathroom that our room number was 3803. So we get there and Becca is super excited because she sees this:

It was the first of many towel animals.

The room was typical a POR room. But here is a photo anyways:

The kids and I all took our showers and we went to bed extra early. It was only about 8:30-9:00 pm but I had been up since 10:30 the night before and I was worn out.

We basically had a very uneventful drive down and arrival.

Up next: Magic Kingdom and will we make my goal of getting oldest DS’s photo taken on Dumbo?

 

[figment fan21]

I'm here! I'm here!

Its so cool to finally see pics of the kids! I can't wait to read more. I really need to start my TR. But in the meantime i'm excited to read yours and JOs!

 

[rcraw45425]

Hey Sandy, glad you made it back too! Did you book a bounceback?

 

[Bama mom to 3]

I am subscribing here too as I count down my trip, 12 days til Disney

Glad to have you along. I can't wait to hear about your trip too.

I'm such a trip report junkie I'm so happy you had a great time I can't wait for more. i just think its great that you at least go to see both halloween and christmas decs. so i'm just going to keep reading yours so my trip comes faster 11 days to go.

I loved seeing both decorations. I was really surprised we were able to. I told the kids to expect the Halloween ones to be gone when we arrived since our first park day was the 2nd.

I'm Here! I'm here! I'm here!!!

Yay! I love that we're all doing TR's!!!!!



Jo

Yea Jo! I am loving your TR. And it was great actually seeing a photo of you and Mighty Good man.

Hey Sandy, glad you made it back too! Did you book a bounceback?

Sadly no bounceback for us. Dh is not a Disney fanatic so we only get to go occasionally. But I am trying to talk him into letting me and DD take a mommy/daughter trip in a couple years. She will be 13 then and It would be even funner with just us girls because this is right up our alley. But its funny because since we got back on early Sunday morning, we have gotten 2 Disney destination email offers.

 

[rcraw45425]

Sadly no bounceback for us. Dh is not a Disney fanatic so we only get to go occasionally. But I am trying to talk him into letting me and DD take a mommy/daughter trip in a couple years. She will be 13 then and It would be even funner with just us girls because this is right up our alley. But its funny because since we got back on early Sunday morning, we have gotten 2 Disney destination email offers.

Too funny about the offers. I went ahead and booked for June 1-5, simply to have a room in case we desire to go back, is that sick or what?

 

[Bama mom to 3]

On Sunday Morning I woke up bright (actually it wasn’t very bright yet) and early. But after going to bed so early I just could not sleep any longer. So I eased out of bed and snuck behind the curtain that separates the sink area from the part of the room where everyone else was sleeping. I put in my contacts and brushed my teeth and hair and got dressed before anyone else woke up. Finally DH’s alarm went off at 6:45. It’s a good thing he set it because our wake up call never came and had I still been in bed asleep we would have ran late this morning. DH got up and showered and then I woke the boys. Becca had already gotten up and was almost completely ready by this time. She was just waiting on me to put her hair in a ponytail. After everyone was dressed and ready to go, Dh had everyone grab something to eat. Blake ate dry cereal as did Becca. Zach grabbed a poptart and DH ate a granola bar (or two). Of course I decided I would be fine without anything so I just drank bottled water. After lathering everyone up with sunscreen, we were out the door to the bus stop. I took the “in case you get lost” photos:

As you can see, it was our day to wear our stick figure family shirts. We got so many comments on these shirts and a lot of people got directed to the DIS when they asked about them.

A Magic Kingdom bus came fairly quickly and we were off! I know a lot of people complain about POR bus service, but we had awesome service, only having to wait very long once and then a dictator driver once. We got to the park a little before 8:30 and made it through bag check quickly. While we waited for the opening show, DD discovered she could make Superman’s S with her fingers:

Finally the opening ceremony began and Dh and the kids watched:

I took a few photos, but we were at the front of the line so we couldn’t see too well.

Before the show started DH and I came up with a plan for me to take the kids to ride Dumbo since I really wanted a photo of oldest DS to go with the one I took when he was 4, and he would go fast pass Splash and we would meet at Big Thunder Railroad.
As soon as the rope dropped the kids and I headed for the rope at Fantasyland while DH headed to Frontier land. When the rope to Fantasyland dropped we went straight for Dumbo. We made it one the first ride of the day…WOOHOO!

Just for comparison here is a scrapbook page with the photo I have I oldest DS at 4…you can barely see him in Dumbo:

But look at him now:

And look how much fun DD is having:

And of course I can’t forget Blake:

After riding Dumbo the kids and I met DH at Big Thunder Railroad and because there was no wait there or at Splash we talked about which one to ride. We decided Thunder Railroad…BIG MISTAKE! This ride scared poor Blake so much. And afterward he refused to ride Splash, which he had been looking forward to riding for a couple months. After that, we decided to ride Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World and Snow Whites not so scary Adventures. Then it was time for Splash fast passes so DH and Zach went to use their fast passes while Blake, Bec and I watched Mickeys Philharmagic and grabbed fastpasses for Peter Pans Flight which had an hour wait time posted. Then It was Bec and My turn to ride Splash and Blake took DH and Zach to watch Philharmagic (he really liked this show). Becca and I got done before the guys so we window shopped in ride stores while we waited. When the guys got done, we were all ready for an early lunch and so we went over to Cosmic Rays and ate:

After lunch DH was going to fast pass Space Mountain for him and the older two but on our way out of Cosmic Rays we ran into everyone favorite trash can PUSH:

Dh left us watching Push to grab the fast passes and when he got back we went and rode Peter Pans flight and on the way who should skip by but Tigger:

After Peter Pans flight we rode the teacups after about a 10 minute wait. We had boys VS. Girls and of course us girls skunked the guys, although they deny it.

We then walked over to Buzz Lightyear and walked right on. I forgot who rode with who but I think DH rode this time by himself and it was Bec and Zach and Blake and myself. I’m sure DH beat us all, but I didn’t take a picture of the score during this right. After the Zurg photo:

We looked out and it was raining…actually it was pouring. So we put on our ponchos and decided to split up. DH was taking the older two to ride Stitch (me and Blake can not stomach stinky smells so we knew we were skipping this ride) and Space Mountain while Blake and I did our own little mommy and me time. And this is a good stopping point for Day one.
I will finish Day one later, as I have lots of photos already and many more to share.

 

[mom2npr]

Great TR! I have 9 days to go!!!!! I am pulling out a suitcase tonight!

 

[Luna_Lovegood]

Hey, we're also in North AL, and also a family of 5. Loving the trip report!

 

[figment fan21]

i love all of your pictures! That was the day we few into MCO and it was grey and rainy! Thank goodness it got better though!

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Great TR! I have 9 days to go!!!!! I am pulling out a suitcase tonight!

Oh, I am so wishing I could be back there right now. Looking forward to hearing about your trip too

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Hey, we're also in North AL, and also a family of 5. Loving the trip report!

Cool! Welcome to the board and my Trip report. I wonder how far away from each other we are? I am in Lexington.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

i love all of your pictures! That was the day we few into MCO and it was grey and rainy! Thank goodness it got better though!

Hey Katie. I was really bummed when it was raining after we got off Buzz, but in the next installment it will actually tell we only wore our ponchos about 5 minutes if that long I was worried it would rain off and on the rest of the day. But thankfully it didn't.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

Now, where was I? Oh yes, we had just come off Buzz Lightyear and saw that it was pouring rain. So we all put on our ponchos, while secretly laughing at all those people huddled inside, and split our group up. Dh took Zach and Bec to ride Stitch and Space Mountain while Blake and I went our own way. The first thing Blake wanted to do was right Tomorrowland Speedway. So we got in the nonexistent line and walked right on. By the time we got to our car, the rain had slowed to a drizzle. We left our ponchos on since the seats were wet. Ds was able to drive but I had to push the gas peddle because his foot kept slipping off. I’m not sure if its because he wasn’t quite tall enough to reach or if it was because it was so wet. DH did surprisingly well. However the persons in front of us kept swerving side to side causing DS and I to have to stop A LOT! When we made it around and exited the ride, we took off our ponchos and were asked to answer a few questions about the ride. So we quickly answered those and then headed off to see Mickey and Minnie’s houses.
Ds loved popping popcorn and baking the cake:

However it took a while to get the picture of DS with the cake because there was this rude little girl and boy that kept pushing DS’s hand off the knob to the oven. All the while the adult that was with them kept saying “make it rise again ___________” encouraging them to keep doing it. DS being the laid back/non aggressive type, just waited patiently.

After Minnie’s house we saw the Mickey’s house:

And don’t you just love Mickey’s gardening over-alls:

Then we headed to Donald’s boat for a few minutes of play:

In the meantime I called DH to see if they were done with any of the rides yet and he said they were finished with Stitch and decided to ride TTA. They had finished it but it wasn’t time for their fast passes for Space yet so they were standing in the stand-by line. So Blake and I headed over to ride us some Magic Carpets. It was here that I chatted with a lady and her daughter and her daughter was telling me how her mom took her to Disney World for her birthday. I think they were from California. The little girl was so excited to be at Disney World, as it was her first trip also.

After we flew through the sky on Magic Carpets, we stopped and toured the ever boring Swiss Family Tree house because it’s what Ds wanted to do:

By this time it was getting close to the Parade time so I called DH and him and the other kiddos were next to board, so I told him Blake and I would go stake us a spot for the parade. I found a spot in front of the castle that would have enough space for all the kids to sit on the curb and I was just hoping DH and the older kids would get there soon. About the time I called and told them where we were, they walked up behind us.

By the time the parade started, there were 3 other kids and a mom squeezed in on Becca’s right side. Becca was being squashed and never once complained. And now I am going to complain for a minute…Why do people feel its okay to wait to the last minute to grab a spot and then think its okay to push other children out of the way…UGH!
Anyway, here are a few (maybe a few more than a few) of my favorite photos:

After the parade we headed to Jungle Cruise and had the absolute best guide:

Then Becca wanted to ride the carpets so I sat on the wall waiting on DH and the kids to ride:

When we were deciding if we should head on over for our supper ADRs we had our first character meet:

Although Zach did not do autographs, the mean momma I am, made him get in the character photos.

***CONTINUED IN NEXT POST BECAUSE I HAVE TOO MANY PHOTOS***

 

[Bama mom to 3]

After that we decided we were going to head over to our supper ADRs for Crystal Palace. We actually got there 30 minutes early but went ahead and checked in fully expecting a longer wait:

But after about 10 minutes we were called in. The food was okay (as is most food at buffet places) but we didn’t eat there for the food. We ate there for the character interaction.

The kids barely got back to the table with their food when Pooh showed up:

And right after him came Tigger:

Shortly after that, it was time for the napkin twirling parade led by Piglet:

Then after the parade Piglet came to the table:

And finally my favorite pooh character:

By the time we finished supper (an hour and a half later!) it was dark and the castle was lighting up. I love the changing colors:

After supper we headed over and rode a couple more things. I can’t remember what. Then we found a spot and stood and watched wishes. I was going to get a photo of Tink flying over us, but I was trying to video also and Blake decided right before it started he had to use the bathroom and could not wait. So DH who was gonna take the still photos for me was gone when Tink flew over so I missed the picture and video cause I tried to hurry up and get the camera to take a photo. So I have no wishes photos from tonight.
After wishes, while a large number of people headed to the exits, we stayed for EMH. We headed to Winnie the Pooh ride because we had not ridden it yet. This is when we actually ran into some people we know. We knew this family was going to DW the same week we were (their oldest son is DD’s age and their DD is youngest DS’s age) but really didn’t expect to see them with how big DW is. We chatted while in line and said our goodbyes and good vacation wishes when it was time for us to board the ride. Then rode Astro Orbiter and rode Buzz Lightyear two more times in a roll. At some point we watched Monsters Inc Laugh floor. That must have been after supper but before wishes. I don’t know why I have no photos after Wishes, I guess we were just enjoying ourselves too much. We decided to leave the park about 10:30 and for some reason DH gets a second wind leaving the park and always tries to leave as quickly as possible:

Poor Blake could barely keep up with him.
We got back to the resort fairly quickly because there were two busing waiting at the POR bus stop. The kids and I took our showers and everyone went right to sleep.

Up next: Will we get our wake up call…and it’s off to Epcot.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

**Just a side note**

I started uploading photos to winkflash to order prints while they are 6 cents a print and uploaded 90 photos last night and that is just from arrival day and our first day at Magic Kingdom...Ohvay! I am going to be broke ordering prints. I was also gonna work on my photo pass photos but the sight was down and is still down this morning *SIGH*

 

[ehstrojette]

Signing on to your trip report. We stayed off site and cant wait to go back in a few years to stay onsite. I hope my kids will enjoy it more at ages 9 and 7 then 6 and 4.